The two short reviews below were kindly sent to Seen and
Heard by Annette Celine, Artistic Director of the Felicja
Blumental International Music Festival. They are reproduced
with permission. (Bill Kenny, Regional Editor)

The Felicja Blumental Music Festival, held under the generous
direction of Annette Celine (daughter of Felicja Blumental)
with the help of Avigail Arnheim from the Tel Aviv Museum
of Art, does not carry the title "Festival"
in vain. This time it was the L'Arpeggiata Ensemble for
early music, whose players arrive from different European
countries. Yesterday the ensemble dedicated a whole program
(without a break) to works from the early Baroque era,
with a few pearls by Monteverdi.

The countertenor Jaroussky, as well as some other players,
demonstrated their astonishing soloist abilities. Jaroussky
is an exceptional artist, with a strong, expressive voice
and coleratouric virtuosity. Indeed, his voice is not
one of the finest in this category per se – one
might hear softer and more expressive voices in recordings
– and his dynamic abilities are not unlimited (though
he produces rather beautiful pianissimi). Nevertheless,
the use Jaroussky does with his natural resorts is astonishing.

The main achievement of this concert comes from the careful
thought Christina Pluhar – head of the group –
invested in building the program. [..] In the end, one
could almost start dancing from joy, and the audience
demanded – and received – several encores.
This evening the Festival is introducing a choir from
Estonia. Expectations are high.

It was magnificent. A musical miracle.
When the choir members opened their mouths – it
was as if heaven’s gates had opened. All of them
young, with fresh voices, but with a deep musical maturity.
Such was the Estonian diamond. And this diamond has started
to sing.

Please forget all you knew about choirs from our local
experience. These Estonians are the model when it comes
to issues such as singing quality, fluent singing –
and above all – beauty of sound. Like a Persian
rug rich with gorgeous colors, their singing “releases”
the most amazing pastel-colored shades. What madness!
They sing the astonishing works of the Estonian Arvo Pärt.
These are serious works with a sensation of deep religious
feelings. All of a sudden, they started performing Veljo
Tormis’ pieces – an Estonian as well –
and here I’m afraid was some kind of a downfall.
These are pieces that touches the folklore – a sticky,
lavish music which boards on kitsch.

“A Tenor is not a human being. It’s a disease”
said once Thomas Beechum (sic), the “evil”
(sic) conductor. Pity he didn’t hear the
fine Tenors of this choir. Their singing pours like chocolate
in the mouth. A pleasure. Tomorrow, Saturday evening,
they will perform the wonderful Requiem by Michael Haydn.
A must see.